This is so beautiful, and I love the language of "brain halo" especially... I'm a very object-connected/tactile adhder, so all sorts of things came to mind as I read this, but one in particular is the printer's drawer that hung in my grandma's kitchen while I was growing up, and now hangs in my kitchen. She filled it with small trinkets, like miniatures of kitchen sinks and a tiny bubblegum machine. It was honestly my favorite toy growing up... I'd play with all the little pieces, totally alone and absorbed and happy, for whole mornings. I guess for me it represents the intense, creative solitude (like a whole inner world no one can see) that's so core to my neurodivergence but can seem extreme to others... really looking forward to this book!
Yes! I relate so much (my mom actually had the same kind of print drawer full of trinkets)! It truly makes me so happy knowing this prompted memories of that feeling for you--that's exactly the kind of connection we're trying to evoke. And I love these specific examples! I'll keep an eye out for that tiny bubble gum machine especially. āØš¬
I love the idea of using collage and combining objects and illustrations to help communicate visually how something felt. I especially honed in on the ticket in the blue illustration. Unsure what that ticket went to, but I can see how a movie ticket or a theater ticket can help someone draw a line towards an experience they had knowing the majority of people understand how movies or a play makes one feel. Very cool. One time for a magazine article about mental health I was tasked to illustrate things like, anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder, and other mental health issues like it. To draw how anxiety or depression feels was no small task! I do not envy you :) but it looks like you're on the right path Gracie!
Thanks, Brandon! For this test piece I really just grabbed whatever I had on hand, but the ticket is exactly the kind of thing my brain would keep as a kind of bookmark for a particular trip to the ocean. It's pretty incredible how a thing like a little piece of paper can evoke a whole myriad of senses and memories! It's a challenge for sure to figure out how to communicate about neurodivergent brains (especially to neurotypical brains), but it's an important one I'm really honored to be a part of! Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you, Kathryn! I absolutely love the idea of your visual interviews, and will definitely look into that more when I have a minute to give it the time it deserves. I didn't see a deadline listed on your post--is there a date I need to be aware of?
Iām so excited to see this book come alive! ššš
Me, too! š±āØšØ
This is so beautiful, and I love the language of "brain halo" especially... I'm a very object-connected/tactile adhder, so all sorts of things came to mind as I read this, but one in particular is the printer's drawer that hung in my grandma's kitchen while I was growing up, and now hangs in my kitchen. She filled it with small trinkets, like miniatures of kitchen sinks and a tiny bubblegum machine. It was honestly my favorite toy growing up... I'd play with all the little pieces, totally alone and absorbed and happy, for whole mornings. I guess for me it represents the intense, creative solitude (like a whole inner world no one can see) that's so core to my neurodivergence but can seem extreme to others... really looking forward to this book!
Yes! I relate so much (my mom actually had the same kind of print drawer full of trinkets)! It truly makes me so happy knowing this prompted memories of that feeling for you--that's exactly the kind of connection we're trying to evoke. And I love these specific examples! I'll keep an eye out for that tiny bubble gum machine especially. āØš¬
ah, then you get it! :) If you want a photo of the bubble gum machine I can message you one!
Oh, I would love that--that would be wonderful! Thank you!
I love the idea of using collage and combining objects and illustrations to help communicate visually how something felt. I especially honed in on the ticket in the blue illustration. Unsure what that ticket went to, but I can see how a movie ticket or a theater ticket can help someone draw a line towards an experience they had knowing the majority of people understand how movies or a play makes one feel. Very cool. One time for a magazine article about mental health I was tasked to illustrate things like, anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder, and other mental health issues like it. To draw how anxiety or depression feels was no small task! I do not envy you :) but it looks like you're on the right path Gracie!
Thanks, Brandon! For this test piece I really just grabbed whatever I had on hand, but the ticket is exactly the kind of thing my brain would keep as a kind of bookmark for a particular trip to the ocean. It's pretty incredible how a thing like a little piece of paper can evoke a whole myriad of senses and memories! It's a challenge for sure to figure out how to communicate about neurodivergent brains (especially to neurotypical brains), but it's an important one I'm really honored to be a part of! Thanks for the encouragement!
Somehow I hadn't seen that this book is coming out. How wonderful!
If it feels relevant, an invitation to answer an interview in images:
https://createmefree.substack.com/p/seeking-submissions-visual-interviews
Thank you, Kathryn! I absolutely love the idea of your visual interviews, and will definitely look into that more when I have a minute to give it the time it deserves. I didn't see a deadline listed on your post--is there a date I need to be aware of?
Nope itās ongoing - whenever is right for you. Let me know if you have any questions.
Love getting to see the behind the scenes and how you are finding such a unique style for this book. So excited for this!
Thank you so much, Nicki! Me, too!